To study the strengthening effect of carbon fiber composite materials (CFRP) on recycled concrete columns subjected to different levels of seismic damage, four column specimens were designed for pseudo-static tests. The four specimens were categorized as non-destructive without strengthening (prototype), non-destructive strengthening, medium seismic damage strengthening, and severe seismic damage strengthening based on the replacement rate of recycled aggregates and the level of seismic damage. The characteristics of the deformation damage and seismic performance indicators of each specimen were compared and analyzed. The results were verified on the OpenSees platform. A decrease was observed in the initial stiffness of the seismically damaged recycled concrete column specimens strengthened with CFRP, while the ductility, peak bearing capacity, and energy dissipation capacity of the specimens were improved. In addition, with the reduction in seismic damage, the ductility and energy dissipation capacity of the strengthened seismically damaged recycled concrete column specimens were enhanced to different degrees. In particular, the cumulative energy dissipation of the strengthened specimens exposed to medium seismic damage increased most significantly, by 32.5%. In general, the hysteretic curves of the strengthened specimens were full, and the average ductility coefficients were 4.1–6.8. CFRP strengthening was more effective for restoring and enhancing the performance of the recycled concrete column specimens with medium and lower seismic damage levels (displacement ratio ≤ 3%).

To study the strengthening effect on recycled concrete columns by carbon fiber composite materials (CFRP) under different levels of seismic damage, four column specimens were designed for pseudo-static tests. The four specimens were respectively non-destructive without strengthening (prototype), non-destructive strengthening, medium seismic damage strengthening and severe seismic damage strengthening, according to the replacement rate of recycled aggregates and the level of seismic damage. The characteristics of the deformation damage and seismic performance indicators of each specimen were compared and analyzed. A decrease was observed in the initial stiffness of the seismically damaged recycled concrete column specimens strengthened with CFRP, while the ductility, peak bearing capacity and energy dissipation capacity of the specimens were improved. On the other hand, with the reduction of seismic damage and the increase of recycled aggregate replacement rate, the ductility and energy dissipation capacity of the reinforced seismic damaged recycled concrete column specimens were enhanced to different levels. In particular, the cumulative energy consumption of the strengthened specimens under medium seismic damage increased most significantly by 32.5%. In general, the hysteretic curves of the strengthened specimens were full, and the average ductility coefficients were 4.1–6.8. CFRP strengthening was more effective in restoring and enhancing the performance of the recycled concrete column specimens with medium and lower seismic damage levels (displacement ratio ≤ 3%).